In a more recent investigation, Pan et al also observed that this cumulative rate of positivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies 15 days from symptom onset is about 74% and 97%, respectively (47). and IgA, 1 to 2 2 weeks after the onset of fever and/or respiratory symptoms. Whether these antibodies will have prolonged neutralizing activity against the computer virus is still to be elucidated on individual and general basis. The availability of quick tests for detecting either viral antigens or anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are a potentially viable opportunity for purposes of epidemiologic surveillance, though more information is needed on accuracy and reliability of these portable immunoassays. (www.actabiomedica.it) gene, which may variably influence virulence and pathogenecity of SARS-CoV-2 by influencing receptor binding (16). Despite many biological aspects of this severe infectious disease remain largely obscure, it has now been clearly acknowledged that early management is usually associated with much better end result, with lower progression towards systemic complications, including immunosuppression, development of a cytokine storm and severe inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (17,18). In this perspective, it is now almost unquestionable that laboratory diagnostics plays an essential, almost vital, role in COVID-19 as in many other human disorders (19), as will be further discussed in the MK-0679 (Verlukast) following parts of this short article. Etiological diagnosis of COVID-19 Before specifically discussing the current armamentarium for etiological diagnosis, it is advantageous mentioning here that this WHO currently defines a confirmed case of COVID-19 as patient who has received laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 contamination, regardless of the presence of clinical signs and symptoms (20). The almost MK-0679 (Verlukast) logical consequence of this straightforward connotation is that the etiological diagnosis of COVID-19 is only possible by detecting nucleic acid material (i.e., RNA) of SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples. According to the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the material to be collected for initial COVID-19 testing include upper respiratory specimens (nasopharyngeal AND oropharyngeal swab, or wash MK-0679 (Verlukast) in ambulatory patients) and/or lower respiratory specimens (sputum and/or endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage) (21-23). Additional biological samples that may be tested include blood, stool, urine, saliva and throat washing, though the significance of identifying the computer virus in these matrices remains undetermined (24,25) (Table 2). Once appropriately and accurately collected, the biological specimens MK-0679 (Verlukast) (especially nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs) shall be placed into individual sterile tubes, made up of 2-3 mL of viral transport media, and must be kept refrigerated at 2-4C for less than 4 days, or frozen at -70C (or below) until screening is carried out (26). Processing specimens not fulfilling these stringent pre-analytical requirements may be associated with generation of false unfavorable assessments results, and shall hence be avoided. Table 2. Biological sources where severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be detected in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. gene, followed by a confirmatory assay with amplification of (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) gene, and then an additional potential confirmatory assay, entailing amplification of gene (27). The CDC has also developed a molecular biology assay, that has been defined Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panel (28). According to Mouse monoclonal to CD40 the CDC, the primers and probes for detecting SARS-CoV-2 have been recognized from genetic regions belonging to gene, encompassing the usage of two primer/probe units. An additional primer/probe set can then be used for amplifying human gene ( em RP /em ) in control specimens. Importantly, a recent study which has assessed the comparative overall performance of multiple primer/probe units, revealed.